Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-01-01


For the eighteen hundred and eighty
seventh time since the birth of Our Savior,
We this morning greet u new year. There
IS thus nothing new in the experience save
the year itself, but as tempUs fUgit is a well
wogu and familiar phrase, the year will
speedily become aged, take on the outer
aspect Of q last seasons chestnut with 4
worm in it, the New Year OF to-day will
become the Old Year OF yesterday and we
will be back where We started from.
From away back the birthday ofthe year
has been 4 season OF rejoicing,and pleasure
seeking, and feasting, and giving OF pres
cuts. In ancient Persia the day
WIS couSecrated to the bestowal
Of gifts upon relatives and friends,
and in Rome, Is tar back Is the period Of
the Julian reformation OF the calendar, the
DAY was celebrated Is 4 public holiday.
ovid in his writings allUdeS To the ceSSa-
ton OF litigation and strife upon that day,
the affairs in the temples poured forth their
choicest incense, while a sort of trIumph1l
procession OF maidenS, robed in white,
passed through the streets 10 the capital,
where, il is presumed, there were great
doiu's'' in the shape OF u public welcome
To the newborn year. At 4 later period in
the history Of the Empire, the exchanging
N visits made up u leading feature Of the
iuv. and here we undoubtedly have the
origin Of our nineteenth century New
Years calling. To 90 back to Rome, in
The fourth century, to quote from Liban-
nus. the first day OF the year WAS Il great
public holiday, only exceeded by the sat
urnalia which preceded it in the month OF
December.
In the fifth century, when Christmas
had been fixed upon December 18th, New
Years day was also fixed eight days be
voud il. ~ the anniversary OF the cIrcum-
risiou of our Lord, and since then the day
has been Kept with varying ceremonies
Dy halt the population OF the earth. In
most countries the celebrations begin on
New Years eve with parties, dances or
social gatherings on the one hand, and with
religious worship, singing and prayers on
the other. and between the two ~ObServauCes
agood many people are kept out OF bed I'M
fl the midnight hour sounds the kncll OF
the old year and 4 puan Of JOY Tor the new
IL the SAINT time.
In Germany, which may be taken as an
illustration OF the observance in other
lands than ours, New Years eve is an i'm
purtaut occasion. In almost every town
ihrlr are gatherings To celebrate the old
wear out with dancing and all manner Of
sport. and the instant the clock strikes
twelve PrOst HsU JIhr starts at once from
every lip, while 4 general touching OF
glasses and drinking OF hcaltbS and hap
plueSs for the coming year enSucS. Then
the young people present each other. their
parents and friends with verses composed
IN honor Of the occasion, which are read
aloud. and are often the cause of much
comment. The tables are upon such &C.
clsions crowded with daintie>, large orna-
mented cakes. and gingerbread in the
shape of hearts, these latter being indIspeu-
sable. On New Years morning PrOsit Hsa
,Iuhr is the universal salutatlOn in the
Fa~therland, and everybody Is in the best
OF spirits.
Hereat home, the observance OF the day
Is familiar, As 4 matter OF course, To all.
In former wears, calling WIS extensively
INDUCED in here in Wheeling, but latterly
the practice has, unfortunately, fallen into
some diSTepute. Time was when New
Years saw all the boys rugged out in swal-
low tails. while the ladies kept open Louise
bv scores. and IN the afternoon and even
the streets echoed to the rattle OF ear
riuges Is the bctuJ sped from the residence
of one lair Juliet 10 another. Who does
not recall the gay days, when some of the
boys used TO load their 3Ni foot paStbOards
on a dray, pile themselves into a
carriage. with an deliberately cos
TUNED and very swell cOlored footman
the box, and thus equipped, the process
sion would merrIly wend Its way about
town. hacking the dray. ever and anon, up to
the CurbStOue in front Of some damselS
residence, and while the tOOtman would
stag.er up the steps with a whole sheet oi
Bristol board on his back, the boys would
form a line and march in, while all the
world looked oL and laughed. Verify the
times have changed.
To-day there will he very little formal
calling INDUCED in, only few ladies re-
criyiug this evening after the german.
The Y. VI. C.. \. building will be thrown
open tomorrow, and young men will be
cordially welcomed. The social gather
ms OF the Association are always happy
occasions and the reception last year was
probably the most delightful n OF all.
The reception to-day promises to equal
that Of last year. The arrangements have
been made by the ladies OF the w. L. L.
society. They will be aided by a large
number OF young ladies who will receive
and entertain the callers. From four to
ten o'clock all young men who call will
receive a hearty welcome. All are c0rdi-
ally invited.
The german at Franzheim'S Hall will
occupy most OF the afternoon among our
society people, and the affair promises to
be very large and elegant. This evening,
~ before announced. Miss Lydia NcNiCch-
Ell and Mrs. W. W. Arnctt will keep open
house and entertain callers in their usual
huSpitable manner, assisted by a beyy OF
~well-kuown and popular young Ladies,